Mansour Gorji’s tiny restaurant in North Dallas, Canary by Gorji, has always been a treasure. A few years ago, Nancy called it the most underrated restaurant in Dallas, and not much has changed—the place is known by regulars for its intimate, polished takes on Mediterranean food.
Later this month, Gorji’s fall cooking class and wine dinner will feature another treasure: Lebanese wine. It will also feature a visit from Elie Maamari, winemaker for Château Ksara, which has the distinction of being the oldest and largest winery in Lebanon. Founded by Jesuit priests in the 1870s, it is the largest winery in Lebanon’s famous Bekka Valley, planted with classic French varietals that drink in the sunshine of the Levant and produces, among others, beautiful Bordeaux-style reds.
We’re starting to get some very good wines from Lebanon, which are now available through distributors and are showing up on more restaurant wine lists. I love Ixsir as well, which I’m starting to see more frequently—a rock-star winery started in the last 10 years.
The trend has grown in the last decade as people begin to look beyond France and California for wine. As Dallas restaurants catch on, some of my best wine discoveries recently have involved Lebanon, Slovenia, and Greece. Gorji’s dinner on September 25 promises to be extremely intriguing. Read on, and reserve now.
When:
Monday, September 25 at 6 p.m.
What:
Cooking technique class followed by three course dinner paired with three Lebanese Chateau Ksara wines.
Appetizer
Pan Seared Gnocchi, Venison Strips & Cognac Sauce
Entrée
Seasonal Fish
(as of now it looks as though Wild Caught Alaskan Coho Salmon will still be in season)
Dessert
Chocolate Pizza with Pears & Roasted Pistachios
$125 per person plus tax only. Pre-payment is required.
Seating is limited. Call 972-503-7080 for reservations.
30-percent of proceeds from Gorji Gourmet products, Zing! Cookbook, and wines purchased that evening will be donated to Hurricane relief.
